Oil-well-tool operator



Patented Nov. 1, 1927.

UNITED STATES. PATENT oFF l,647,961 ICE.

CHARLES T. DOUGHERTY, DECEASED, LATE 0F XVINFIELD W. SMITH, ADMINISTRATOR, OF

HUNTINGTON BEACH, CALIFORNIA, BY COALINGA, CALIFORNIA, ASSIGNOR, BY

DIRECT AND MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, TO REVOLUTION ARY OIL WELL TOOL COMPANY.

OIL-WELL-TOOL OPERATOR.

Application ledApril 22, 1926. Serial 110,103,682.

This invention relates to a tool for use 1n oil well drilling operations and especially to improvements 1n the construction of the tool described .in the inventor-s copending vapplication entitled l 3, 1923, Serial No. 678,371. In the drilling of oil wells it is well Oil well tool operator77 filed December known that numerous diliiculties are encountered, such as parting of thefcasing, stripping of thread-s, freezing up of the casing, loss of tools, leaking joints, etc. Numerous tools have been devised for special uses, for instance, for shing out lost tools, casing sections, etc., but they are not always dependable and often fail the purpose 0r particular operation for which they are designed, and 'at best necessitate a large supply of numerous costly tools7 each el which v requires practice to operate.

The object of the present linvention is toy generally improve and simplify the constructionand operation of tools of the character described and particularly to provide a tool which is capable of handling problems encountered in oil well drillingoperations, and which is also adapted to be attached to specialized tools for the purpose of more efficiently handling or operating the same.

vThe construction of theimproved form of tool is disclosed in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a section of the bottom portion of an oil well which is being drilled by means of a rotary bit.

purpose of removing the rotary bit.

Fig. 2 is a View similar to Fig. 1 showing the tool inside elevation.

Fig. 3 is a continuation view of the upper end of Fig. 2 showing a drill line, a combination socket, a set of jars, etc. `for operating the tool.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged cross section of one of the ratchet blocks taken on line v1r-et of Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 isV an enlarged vertical section of the same ratchet block taken on line 5 5 of Fig. 4.'

Fig. 6 is an enlarged detail view showing one of the pawls 8 and the block B in which the pawl is mounted.

Referring to the drawings in detail and particularly to Figs. 1, 2, 4 and 5, it will be noted'that the tool proper consists of two ployed for the The tool is also shown in" section in this view and is inserted for the "ratchet blocks generally indicated at A and B. These blocks are maintained in spaced relation by means of a spacing tube 2 and they are provided with a tool holder 3 on the lower end which is carried by means of a tube et. Extending through the upper ratchet block `is a helically twisted shaft- 5 and forming a part of said shaft and extending downwardly therefrom Athrough the ratchet block B is a'square shaft 6 which is em` purpose of imparting a rotary movement to the tube @and the tool t5 carried thereb i The ratchet blocks Work in opposition to 'each other to this extent; that, when the helically twisted shaft 5 is lowered with relation to the ratchet block A, it will be locked against rotation so as to transmit a. turning movement to the helically twisted shaft and the extension shaft 6. In that instance, the ratchet block B will rotate. Vice versa it is possible to release the ratchet block Av during downward move` ment ol the helically twisted shaft and to lock the lower ratchet block against rotation;

In order to clearly tions and the reasons construction of eaclrr'atchet block will be given. The upper ratchet block A is preferably constructed of steel. Its -outer peripheral surface is provided with a series of pockets 7 in which are mounted reversible pawls 8. These pa'wls engage the interior surface of the well casing when the rat/het block is rotated in one dlrection, thus freeing the pawls and permitting the ratchet block to rotate, but if the pawls are reversed and the ratchet block is rotated in the same direction the pawls will bite :into the inner surface of the well casing and the ratchet block will be locked against rotation. I By referring to Fig. 4,- it will be noted thatthe pockets 7 are flared so as to permit the pawls 8 to be swung to one slde or another as this is necessary to permit reversal of the same. Each pawl is provided with a slightly concavedouter face as indicated at 8a to produce two biting edges 8" auth/8C; the edge -81 locking the ratchet block against explain -these opera- `rotation in one direction iand the edge 8 suI therefor, the detailed shown at 19. The

the pawls are reversed. They,

will be to hold the pawls in a central position when the tool is removed from the well casing. It is accordingly only necessary to swing the pawls in the intended direction when the tool is lowered into the casing .as the interior diameter or clearance within the casing is such that the pawls cannot swing over center when in the casing. The 'pawls are held against endwise removal by a plate 9 and bolts 10.

The lower ratchet block is also preferably -constructed of'steel and it is provided with pockets` for the reception of reversible pawls. such as indicated at- 8, these pawls being secured against endwise removal by a swivel 'oint cover 11 (see Fig. 5) which in turn 1s secured by means of bolts 12. The ratchet block B is permitted to freely rotate when however. always assume a position opposite to the pawls in the upper ratchet block, as one ratchet block is held while the other rotates, and vice versa. The center portion of the lower ratchet block is provided with,` a square shaped opening in which shaft 6 reciprocates as the helically twisted shaft is raised and lowered, as will hereinafter be described.

The tool shown may be employed for numerous uses when drilling oil wells, but 1t is particularly illustrated inthe present 1nstance as a device for removing or inserting a rotarybit such as indicated at C. The removal type of bit shown forms the sub- 'ect matter of a copending application entitled Detachable rotary bit iled March 3, 1926, Serial-No. 91.901. The bit consists of two blades 14 and 15 pivotally supported as at 16 in a holding nut 17 which is secured in a shoe 18 on the lower end of the well casing by a threaded connection such as problem of inserting the detachable rotary bit is therefore one of lowering the holding nut 17, together with the bits down into the well and then screwing it into the shoe'18. and finally releasing the tool or device which lowered it into the well and screwing it into the shoe.

To clearly describe the operation of the tool, it will be sup osed that the bit has been in operation `or a considerable time and has become so dull that it is desired to remove it and replace it with a resharpened bit. To accomplish this the tool proper is attached to a string of tools generally in dicatedV at D and a drill line 20, and it is then lowered into the well. As it reaches the bottom, or in other words, the holding nut 17 and the she 18, the tool 3 will engage the upper end of the holding nut. The tool 3 is secured on the lower end of thetuhe 4 and it is provided with a tapered vthreaded projection 21. The upper end ofthe holding nt is similarly internally threaded. When engagement is made Abetweenthe threaded extension .21 of the tool 3 andthe upper end tion.

Thus, as the string of tools carried by the drill line is lowered, the helically twisted shaft is also lowered and a turning movement is imparted thereto due to the fact that it passes through the upper ratchet block which is held stationary. The lower ratchet block is free to turn in a left-hand direction and it will turn in this direction as the helical shaft turns in thatldirection and so does the shaft 6. fThns, turning movement is transmitted to the lower ratchet block through the shaft 6 as itpasses through a square shaped opening in the lower ratchet block, and as the tube 4 is secured to the lower ratchet block and the tool 3 is secured to the lower end of the tube, it is obvious that tool 3 will turn to the left and the threaded extension 21 will screw into the upper end of the holding nut.

One or two revolutions are imparted during the lowering movement of the helically twisted shaft and as a considerable number of revolutions are required to screw the tool 3 down into the holding nut, it is obvious that a reciprocal movement must be imparted to the helically twisted shaft. This is accomplished by pulling up on the drill line and the string of tools D to which the oil well tool is attached. During upward movement the lower ratchet block grips and holds the tool 3 against rotation. The upper ratchet block, however, rotates freely and as this is the case, no rotary movement will be transmitted to the helcally twisted shaft. The drill line in the string of tools D together with a helically twisted shaft 5 is raised and lowered a number of times. Dur-- ing each lowering movement, tool 3 is screwed further into the upper end of the holding nut 17 and it finally bottoms or sets therein. When this occurs further revolutions of the tool 3 will cause the holding nut to unserew with relation to the shoe 18, as a left-hand turn is employed. When the holding mit is completely uiiscrewed with relation to the shoe 18, it is only necessary to pull up on the drill line and to raise the oil well tool and the hit attached thereto to the surface where it may be removed and a relll) sharpened bit placed in position on the tool 3. 'lho whole string of tools is again lowered into the well until the threaded end of 'the holding nut 17 engages with the'threads in the bottom of the shoe 18. In this instance, the pawls are reversed in the respective ratchet blocks, as it is now desired to Vsecure the upper block against turning nut reaches its seat in the shoe.

movement in the right-hand direction and the lower block againstV turning movement in the left-hand direction. lt is necessaryto impart a reverse turning movement to the tool 3 in order that the holding nut may be screwed into the shoe.

Thus, after engagement has been made between the threads on the holding nut and the shoe, further downward movement causes the lower ratchet block to grip and the upper ratchet block to rotate. In other words, the helically twisted shaft is lowered without imparting rotary movement to the tool 3, but when the drill line and spring olI tools attached thereto is raised, the vupper ratchet block grips and the lower ratchet block releases, thus causing the tool 3 to turn to the left and to thereby turn or screw the holding nut into the shoe. This oper-v ation of raising and lowering the helically twisted shaft is repeated until the holding Further movement will cause the tool 3 to unscrew, as it is right-hand threaded and it thus finally releases itself with relation to the holding nut and permits the whole string of tools to be removed.

The oil well tool operator has -numerous other uses: v

(l) It may be employed to remove a ozen or lost casing section by section; (2) To takeout broken pieces of casing; (3) ToV set up leaky joints, at any point desirable;

(4) To set up die collars or die nipples; (5) To'disconnect the casing in case of water leaks;

. (6) 'To remove tools that are bull-dogged A in the casing; 4o

(7) To unscrew casing that is too rotten or corroded to stand strainA from top of the hole' i (8) To tighten joints at any place desired I without tonging the casing or spoiling joints in the string above;

(9) To connect tool joints on lost tools or to unscrew the same. Y

(10)v The tool may also be employed for the purpose of rotating under-reamers of various makes and construction.

(11) The tool may be employed for the purpose of supporting a milling or cutting tool, whereby obstructions in the casing or on tools lodged in the easing may be cut away.

All these operations are made possible due to the fact that specialized tools may be attached to this tool and maybe rotated or operated thereby, and also due to the fact' that the tool may grip different sections of casings and unscrew them with relation to each other. The tool has other uses, for i11- stance,-sueh as obtaining and removing core samples. It casingsections are to be screwed or unscrewed with relation to each other 'to the tube 4. or to the threaded projection of the tool 3 as desired.

Having thus described the invention what is claimed and desired tosecure by Letters Patent is- 1. A tool of the character described comprising an upper and a lower ratchet block, a plurality of pawls on each ratchet block engageable with the interior wall of a well casing to secure the ratchet blocks against rotation in one direction, a nut in the upper ratchet block, a helically twisted shaft extending through the nut and slidable therein, an extension shaft on the lower end of the helical shaft extending through the lower ratchet block and adapted to transmit a turningmovement thereto and a tool holder carried by the lower ratchet block and turnable therewith.

2. A tool of the character described com prising an upper and a lower ratchet block, a plurality of pawls on each ratchet block engageable with the interior wall of a Well casing to secure the ratchet blocks against rotation in one direction, a nut in the upper ratchet block, a helically twisted shaft eX- tending through the nut and slidable therein, an extension shaft on the lower end of the helical shaft extending through the lower ratchet block and adapted to transmit a turning` movement thereto, a tube secured to the lower ratchet block and rotatable therewith and a tool holder carried by said tube.

3. A- tool of the character described comprising an upper and a lower ratchet block, a plurality of pawls on each ratchet block engageable with the interior wall of a well casing to secure the ratchet blocks against rotation in one direction, a nut in the upper ratchet block, a helically twisted shaft extending through the nut and slidable therein, an extension shaft on the lower end of the helical shaft extending through the lower ratchet block and adapted to transmita turning movement thereto, and means wherevby a predetermined spacing ismaintained izo upper and a lower ratchet block,

the upper ratchet block, a helically twisted shaft extending through the nut and slidable therein, and a second shaft forming an extension of the twisted shaft and secured thereto, said extension shaft being square in cross-section and extending through the lower ratchet block t0 transmit the rotary movement thereto.

WINFIELD W. SMITH, Admnisd-atm of Charles T. Dougherty, De-

ceased. 

